When to change angle grinder disc

[itnot]

Here's my dumb newbie question:

When should I change the disc on my angle grinder?

I notice that after a few minutes of grinding a fiber grid starts to show on the surface of the disc. I tried a name brand Dewalt disc instead of the no-name disc that came with the tool, but the fiber on the Dewalt is already showing through after maybe 15-20 minutes of grinding today.




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[llamafur]

Usually you replace it when the disk gets worn down to the two plates or screw holding in place. Are you grinding out welds? There are different types of disks. A thin disk for cutting, and a thick one for general clean up.
BTW Welcome to the forum. :)

[DSW]

I'm not too impressed with the Dewalt disks. If you look at them and compare them to the Sait disks, The Sait's have a lot more grinding media in them. I'm not exactly sure how to explain it better. If I can find one of each in the garage tomorrow I'll try and take a pict that will show it better.

[Sandy]

That "fiber grid" is there to help keep the disc from flying apart. Not to worry because it shows. If you happen to buy a cheapo disc that doesn't have this web, get rid of it.

[Ironmower]

Too me, the dewalt "wheels" are a harder compound, so they'll last longer. That inturn means, it will take longer too grind and it will create more heat.

[Hass]

At home, I grind them down until they're nothing.

At work, I grind them down until they're about 2/3 the size they started at.
As the disc gets more worn, it grinds more slowly, obviously....
Since it stays at a constant RPM, but less disc circumference.
In a production environment were everything has to get done if it were yesterday.. it's the way we do it...

[wrenchit]

When I am done with mine they make great 5/8ths washers.

[sidthss]

Im in the same boat as wrenchit, use em till the grinders clamping nut gets in the way and you just cant grind anymore.

[DesertRider33]

They start grinding smoother once you wear down the edge to a nice soft curve and see the fibers showings. I use them till I can't grind anymore with it, or untill I can't access the area cause the disc is so small.

[MoonRise]

I just tossed a bunch of grinding discs when I noticed that the -thickness- of the disc was about half of what a new unused disc was. Not the diameter, the thickness. :eek: The diameter was only about 1/2inch to 1inch less than new on a 4-1/2 inch disc, still that's about 11-22% used on the diameter.

Looked at the used discs, looked at the new discs, looked at the disc thickness, looked at the 11,000 rpm rated grinder, tossed the old discs. Did not want to have the 'fun' of a disc grenading from being 'thin' at 11,000 while I'm pressing it against a workpiece.